Winter Storm: Mansfield Information Center

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MANSFIELD PATCH STORM CENTRAL UPDATES, CLOSINGS & MORE:

Saturday, Feb. 9 -

6:25 p.m.

I took a drive around Mansfield shortly after 4:00 p.m. to see how the roads are. Most of the main roads are still rough, but manageable if you have to drive. If you don't have to drive anywhere tonight, it may be a good idea to spend the evening at home.

Fire Department Chief Boldrighini was accurate in his earlier statement that the main roads are decent but there is still work to do in the developments and on the side roads.

I did see the plows working near downtown, Route 106, and around the Cabot Business Park, but like Selectman Jess Aptowitz said at Wednesday's selectmen meeting, it is going to take some time to get the entire town plowed so some patience is needed. There are parts of Route 140 in Mansfield however, which are fine for driving. If you know of the condition of any of the roads in town, feel free to leave us a comment. - Dan

3:54 p.m.

Tuesday's Mansfield High School basketball games against Franklin have been moved to Wednesday. The boys will be on the road and the girls will be home. Both games are still set for 6:30 p.m.

Boys' hockey vs. Canton has been moved to Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Foxboro Sports Center.

***

2:43 p.m.

The town parking ban has been extended to 8:00 a.m. Monday morning. Originally, the ban was set to expire at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 10.

Any vehicle parked on the street during the ban will be towed at the owner's expense.

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1:08 p.m.

Governor Deval Patrick has announced that the statewide driving ban will be lifted at 4:00 p.m. today. The ban for Nantucket County and all communities west of I-91 has been lifted immediately.

***

12:12 p.m.

From Mansfield Fire Department Chief Boldrighini via Selectmen Chair Olivier Kozlowski

 We have been very busy thus far. Over twenty calls with two fully involved vehicle fires, multiple medicals and alarms due to the storm. In addition the guys have done a yeoman job in keeping the fire aprons and parking clear which as you know, due to the door heights is imperative. Very little sleep for everyone but they have eaten and are ready.

The main roads are decent but many of the developments, side roads and industrial parking lots remain difficult or completely impassable for the vehicles. I have had the DPW respond on all of our calls with a plow because ours has not only been committed to keeping the lots down but simply cannot move the snow we need moved in some of these areas.

I plan on holding my manpower at the level I have had until late this afternoon and then reducing it to some degree. I will need to maintain a higher than normal staffing level through the night.

10:45 a.m.

Mansfield Sees Minimal Power Loss From Storm

With the worst of the storm out of the way, Town Manager Bill Ross reported few problems and power outages related to the snowstorm sweeping though the northeast.

While power is back for almost all of Mansfield, there is still plenty of work with clean up and plowing. Town Manager Bill Ross is asking residents to remain at home.

“We encourage people to stay home where they are safe and warm so we can get the streets cleared and not have to rescue anyone,” Ross said, “ Also, be careful with fireplaces and space heaters and, if they can do it safely, dig out your fire hydrant.”

Read more by clicking here.

***

9:21 a.m.

Mansfield Deli has opened for business today. 

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9:12 a.m.

The lastest forecast from the National Weather Service says that most of the snow should arrive before 1:00 p.m. with a total daytime snow accumulation of 4-to-8 inches.

Tonight will be mostly clear with a northeast wind of 16 to 21 mph.

***

9:00 a.m.

Kurt Schwartz, secretary director of MEMA, said the MBTA will be closed today. He also said the travel ban will be readdressed later today.

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8:57 a.m.

The U.S. Postal Service has suspended mail delivery and the Mansfield post office closed will not open today.

9:13 p.m.

According to WHDH, Mansfield has received 10.5 inches of snow. Forecasts still show Mansfield getting 18-24 inches with isolated ares of up to 30 inches.

3:53 p.m.

The Mansfield Shaws has closed for the day. Stop and Shop will be opened until midnight.

***

3 p.m.

From Jimmy's Pub and Restaurant's Facebook:
Pub kitchen is closing at 3:30 today. Order your takeout now!

From Mansfield Deli from Facebook: We are closing up for the day! Everyone stay safe...

***

1 p.m.

Governor Deval Patrick has issued an executive order banning vehicle traffic starting at 4:00 p.m. The penalty for violating the order is up to one year in prison and a $500 fine.

8:37 a.m.

The MBTA will shut down all modes of transportation this afternoon. The last train on the Providence Line will leave South Station at 3:30 p.m. and should stop in Mansfield at approximately 4:15 p.m.

Inbound service to Boston will be suspended at 3:30 p.m.

***

8:04 a.m.

A parking ban will be in effect starting at 10:00 a.m. today and will last until 4:00 p.m. Sunday. Any vehicle parked in the the streets will be towed at the owner's expense.

Thursday, Feb. 7 —

7:34 p.m.

All flights for Friday and Saturday have been cancelled at the Mansfield Airport, according to KING Aviation-Mansfield. They will be posting airport conditions periodically over the next couple of days, according to their Facebook page. 

Little Trails Learning Center will be opening at the regular time Friday, according to their Facebook page. They will be closing promptly at 2:45 p.m., because of the storm.

The Hockomock League Indoor Track Championships at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed. 

3:54 p.m.

If necessary, the Qualter's Middle School will be used as an emergency shelter. An announcement from the town will be made if the shelter is opened.

***

3:21 p.m.

School Canceled in Mansfield Due to Storm

Mansfield Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Hodges announced today that school has been canceled on Friday, Feburary 8 due to the storm that is expected to hit Mansfield and most of Massachusetts.

In a statement released by Hodges, all school personnel have been asked to stay home with the exception of essential workers custodial and maintenance departments.

All extra curricular activities, athletic events and practices have been canceled throughout the upcoming weekend. 

In addition, Southeastern Regional Vocational Tech has also canceled school.

Read more by clicking here.

***

5:45 a.m.

Mansfield Prepares for Friday's Pending Storm

With reports of up to two feet of snow, and perhaps up to 30 inches in some isolated areas, the town of Mansfield is getting ready for the biggest storm in 2-3 years.

According to Town Manager Bill Ross, a meeting for town staff will be held at 1:00 p.m. today to go through preplanning and Ross will sit in on a conference call with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency at 11:45 a.m. today.

The town will be looking into opening emergency shelters if needed but Ross admitted that it would be difficult for those who need the shelter to access it during the storm.

Ross express the need for everyone to stay off the roads. Due to the length of the storm, the roads are expected to remain in poor conditions for most if not all of the storm.

“If this storm is as predicted, it is going to be extremely difficult and dangerous to travel. We really advise everyone to stay home, stay where you’re safe and warm,” Ross said at yesterday’s selectmen meeting. “We don’t want to have to rescue people if they’re out in their car so please if it looks like it’s going to get bad, do your shopping ahead of time, fill your car with gas, stay at home, and watch it snow out the window.”

Read more by clicking here.

***

5:40 a.m.

Calling the pending storm "historic," the National Weather Service (NWS) is calling for 12-24 inches of snow to be dropped on Mansfield between Friday and Saturday.

According to the NWS, the snow will start sometime after 10:00 a.m. and increase in intensity as the day goes on. The peak of the storm is expected to occur late Friday night into early Saturday morning with snowfall rates reaching up to 2-3 inches a hour.

The snow is not expected to taper off until Saturday evening.

Winds ranging from 25 to 35 MPH with gusts up to 55 MPH should add to the blizzard conditions and the weather service said visibility will be no better than a quarter-mile.

Read more by clicking here.

***

Snow-Related Postponements & Cancellations

• Friday’s Mansfield basketball games against Taunton High School have been moved to Thursday. All games will be played at same time and location.
• All Mansfield Public School extra curricular activities, athletic events and practices scheduled for noon Friday through Monday have been canceled.
• Invensys YMCA Foxboro Branch will close Friday at 2 p.m. and will not open on Saturday.
• The Mansfield VFW's Winter Fling has been canceled.
• The Mansfield Democrat's Caucus for the State Convention has been moved from February 9 to February 23.
• The Downtown Business Association Chocolate Stroll on Saturday, February 9 has been canceled.
• The M-Plex will close at noon on Friday and will not reopen until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.

NOTE: Know of a cancellation or closing this weekend as a result of the weather? Let us know in the comments section and we will add it to the list above!

IMPORTANT NUMBERS & WEBSITES: 

• In an emergency, dial 911
• Police Department: (508) 261-7300
• Fire Department: (508) 261-7320
• DPW: (508) 261-7330
• Mansfield Electric: (508) 261-7330
• Comcast: 1-800-COMCAST (1-800-266-2278)
• Verizon: 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966)